realized that it would take several seasons to build up an audience to make the Cerritos Center self-supporting, so a $2 million subsidy or pump-priming fund was budgeted to augment the annual $3 million from ticket sales and pay operating costs and performers. Seating configurations There are six seating configurations in the auditorium of the CCPA, made possible by moving seating towers and mobile seating wagons, multiple floor lifts and moving ceiling panels. It takes about eight hours or less to switch from one configuration to another. Arena - A 1,691 to 1,721-seat arena setting with 500 floor seats surrounded by box seats and balconies on one side for popular music, comedy and jazz performances. Cabaret - A 1,324 to 1,504-seat cabaret setting with up to 67 tables and 412 chairs on a flat floor, surrounded by box seats and balconies, for jazz and other music performances. Concert - A 1,493 to 1,629-seat concert hall with in-the-round seating and acoustic concert ceiling panels for orchestras, recitals and acoustic performances. Drama - A 921 to 1,083-seat proscenium theater for plays, recitals and chamber music performances. In the Round - A 1,845 to 1,934-seat in-the-round theater for popular music, comedy and jazz performances. Lyric - A 1,311 to 1,391-seat proscenium theater for musical theater, dance and popular music performances. Facilities The Sierra Room/Sierra Theater at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts features a technologically advanced grid of tracks and moveable partitions, which can divide the space from one large open room to five smaller meeting places. A hidden retractable seating unit can be opened into part of the room creating the Sierra Room Theater, perfect for fashion shows, guest speakers and presentations. Additional amenities available include a state-of-the-art sound system, lighting and a dance floor for parties and wedding receptions. The Mojave Room as well as the Grand Lobby can be rented out for small business meetings, luncheons and receptions. Awards and recognition 1993-2001 Amusement Business Magazine Top 10 Venues - 5,000 seats or less in the United States. 1995 Performance Magazine "Theater of the Year" 1994 United States Institute of Theater Technology Honor Award 1993 Concrete Industry Paving Award 1993 Cabrillo Chapter of American Institute of Architects Design Award In 1994, the CCPA received the United States Institute of Theater Technology's (USITT) highest honor, hailing the theater as "The most sophisticated project we've seen in terms of architecture, technology and